My husband retired as a police officer for the city of Prichard. It was not an easy life being the wife of a policeman, but he knew that if he gave his time, I would always be taken care of in my old age. When he passed away, it was difficult, but with his pension I was able to survive.

When Prichard stopped paying us retirement benefits a year ago, my world stopped. If not for the help of family and friends, I would not be able to survive. It is so sad to see and hear how the lives of other retirees have changed. These are the people who worked for decades, some risking their lives for others, like my husband did every time he put on his uniform.

Compared to many other retirees who have lost the homes where they raised their children, filed bankruptcy to meet their bill obligations, lived without utilities and even are eating unhealthy food because they can’t buy nutritious groceries, I know I am better off — but only with the help I receive from others.

Our pride has been broken, as we are forced to ask for help to survive. I pray each night that Prichard will do the right thing and honor its obligation to us. There has to be a solution so that good people do not continue to suffer.

I am 76 years old and physically not able to get a job, so what do I do? We have already lost 11 retirees in the last year. We are not just a debt; we are real humans in need.

JUNE BARROW

Mobile

Editor’s note: Blue-ribbon letters are those selected by our staff as being especially interesting or well written. Authors will receive a lapel pin and an invitation to lunch with Press-Register editors.

Detection key

for prostate cancer

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second leading cause of death among all cancers in the United States.

This year, it is estimated that 232,090 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the U.S. That’s two men every five minutes. Of those men, 30,350 will die, about 5,000 in our state of Alabama.

African-Americans have a 60 percent higher risk than white males. And they have double the death rate. The disease is found mainly in men over age 55, with an average age of 70.

There has been some controversy lately on whether or not annual PSA testing and DRE exams are helping or hurting. The controversy centers around recent studies that seem to show that an estimated one-third of men diagnosed were "over-treated" and/or treated unnecessarily.

The UsTOO International Support & Education Organization maintains its position that early detection is still the key. If a test comes out with a positive diagnosis, I promise you, you’ll be glad you found out.

We urge all white males to begin annual testing at age 45, and at age 40 for African-American males. Our local UsTOO Chapter meets the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Gerald Wallace Auditorium on the Springhill Medical Center Campus. Call 251-591-8557 or go to www.ustoomobile.org.

DUANE KENT

UsTOO Chapter Leader

Mobile

BP not responsible

for bad business

The constant complaining about BP is amazing. While it is true that the spill caused great distress, it must not be overlooked that BP has paid hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses and individuals here on the Gulf Coast.

In my opinion, BP is responsible for proven coastal environmental damages. However, what makes us think BP is responsible for the pre-existing financial problems of a business? What makes us think that BP has an unlimited amount of money to simply give away? Doesn’t anyone believe they are responsible for themselves?

Storms, hurricanes and other unexpected things happen, like the oil spill. But no entity in the United States, from the federal government to BP, has the financial resources or can be expected to pay people 100 percent of the cost of recovery. Even with a high percentage paid, each individual is still responsible to fill in the gaps.

I have not read about or heard anyone say "thank you" for what has been done by BP to assist individuals. I have not heard of anyone being honest enough to admit their businesses may have already been failing before the oil spill due to lack of marketing, lack of financial management, lack of strategic planning or being denied a bank loan because of bad credit.

It appears that many people who are in denial about their own business management weaknesses saw the oil spill as an opportunity to get free money.